Electric-current collector



G. W. BOWER ELECTRIC CURRENT COLLECTOR Filed Dec. 1, 1925 [nJen'tIorz George W.Bower-, y His fittor'ney- Patented July 13, 1926.

UNITED STATES v 1.592.333 earner OFFICE,

GEORGE W. EoWEE, E SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK, assrenon TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORIPOBATION or NEWYOB-K.

ELEoTmcpUEnEn'r COLLECTOR.

Application filed December 1, 1325. Serial No. 72,548.

The present invention relates to electric current collectors whereby electric power is communicated from a stationary overhead conductor to a power driven device movable withrelation to the stationary conductor and generally known as trolleys.

' Overhead trolleys, as heretofore made. are not well adapted for use on traveling cranes, electric mules, etc., where the head room is limited and the amount of power used comparatively light. I

The object of my invention is the provision of a hardy and eflicientelectric current collector which shall occupy very little space and which may be manufactured at low cost.

One embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the collector in its fully elevated position: Fig. 2 is an end elevation thereof; the spring-actuating mechanism with the lower pantograph arms shown in section, and Fig. 4 is a part side elevation and part vertical section of the spring actuator.

The frame of the collector is of the diamond or pantographic type and consists of a baseboard 1 with two lower arms 2of'the' pantograph pivoted thereto at suitably spaced points by hinges 3, two upper arms 1 of the pantograph pivoted to the upper ends of the lower arms 2 by hinges 5 and acollector shoe support 6 pivoted to the tops I of the upper arms lby hinges 7 and supported thereby substantially parallel to the base 1. The base 1. arms 2 and 4 andthe shoe support 6 are for the sake of lightness made of wooden slabs and the ends of the arms 2 and 4 are cut angularly so that they abut at an angle and in the manner of rule joints to thereby limit the upward movement of the frame as'indicated in Fig. 1 with its several arms positioned similar to the sides of a diamond figure.

The actuating-springmechanism consists of a cast iron pedestal 8 bolted to the base board 1 between the lower arms 2, a twoarmed yoke 9 pivoted on a stub shaft 10 at the top of the pedestal and held thereon by a bolt 11 and a helical torsion spring 12 surrounding cylindrical portions of the pedestal and yoke with its upper end 13 bent over an arm of the yoke 9., while its lower end 14 is held adjustably bet-ween spaced Fig. 3 is a plan view of lugs 15 at the lower periphery of the pedestal. The free ends of the arms of the yoke 9 are connected bylinks16 to the lower frame arms2 by means of bolts 17 so that, as indicated in Fig. 3, the recoil of the torsion spring tends to more the arms toward the vertical position and yieldingly to maintain the shoe support 6 elevated.

A metallic collector shoe orplate 18 having side ribs 19 anddefiected tips 20 is mountedon top the support 6 and secured by bolts-21 which engage at their lower ends with terminal 22 of the flexible cable 23 extending; to the base 1 where it is connected to a stationary terminal 24.- held by a binding post 25 to the base and from which the current is led, in the well known manner, to the motor or othertranslating device.

l i hen in use the collector shoe 18 travels along; the underside of the suspended trolley or supply wire (not shown), and by reason of the yielding spring connection it moves up and down according to the variations in elevation of the trolley wire. The limits of such up and downmovements of the collector shoe are indicated respectively in the full line and the dotted line positions shown in Fig. 1.

While best embodiment of the invention known to me. I do not desire to be restricted thereto. j lVhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. An electric current collector comprising: a base, pantographic arms pivotally mounted on said base. a pedestal vertically said base between said pantographic arms,

a horizontallv movable yoke pivoted on said pedestal. a torsion spring adjustably conuected to said pedestal and exerting torque upon said yoke. and links connecting said yoke to said pantographic arms.

In witness whereof. I have hereunto set my hand this 80th day of November. 1925.

G-EGRGE W. BOVVER.

I have shown and described the 

